Med Center CEO: You Will Not Be Turned Away at the Emergency Room

November 21, 2016 (Montrose, CO) — Patients arriving at the Telluride Regional Medical Center Emergency Room need not worry they’ll be turned away at the region’s only emergency department based on health insurance coverage, according to medical center CEO, John Gardner.

“If you do not have insurance, you will be treated and may be billed full price. However, if you have low income and qualify, you may still be able to enroll in Medicaid,” said Gardner.

The medical center also offers payment plans for large balances and discounts for prompt payment. “We are currently exploring banking relationships which will give patients the ability to finance large bills at reduced interest rates,” he added.

Likewise for those with insurance providers who do not have contracts with the medical center. “We treat all patients,” said Gardner, “though the insurance coverage will differ based on whether or not we have a contract with your insurance provider.”

According to Gardner, the Telluride Regional Medical Center is working to restore an emergency services contract with a popular provider, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, after past proposals were rejected by the Telluride Hospital District for failing to compete with reasonable repayment rates.

“A contract with an insurance provider has to make basic economic sense for our organization,” said Gardner, who remains confident they will strike a deal with them once again. “And in the meantime, it’s imperative that the public know they’ll always find emergency care at our clinic,” he said.